A Service of Celebration

First United Methodist Church

Maryville, Tennessee

Sunday, October 17, 2021

3:00 p.m.

Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett

The Reverend Dr. Debra Wallace-Padgett was elected a Bishop of The United Methodist Church at the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference.

At the time of her election, she was the lead pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Lexington, Kentucky–an appointment she served for eight years. During her tenure, St. Luke grew in membership, strengthened its infrastructure, built a $4.5 million Ministry Life Center and launched a multi-cultural worship service.

Her previous service to the church includes six years as District Superintendent, three years as pastor of Paris First UMC, 11 years on staff at Lexington First UMC, and two years as Director of Christian Education at Epworth UMC. She served in a variety of roles in the Kentucky Annual Conference, Southeastern Jurisdiction and General Conference. She is currently the chair of the standing Committee on Evangelism for the World Methodist Council. She previously served as a member of the Commission on a Way Forward, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, the Connectional Table and the Council of Bishops Executive Committee.

She is a graduate of Berea College (Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education), Scarritt College and Graduate School (Master of Arts in Christian Education), Lexington Theological Seminary (Master of Divinity) and Asbury Theological Seminary (Doctorate of Ministry).

Bishop Wallace-Padgett is married to the Reverend Lee Padgett, a retired deacon in The United Methodist Church. They are the parents of two adult children, Leanndra Thompson (Alexander) and Andrew Padgett and one granddaughter (Crindalyn Thompson).

A Service of Celebration

First United Methodist ChurchMaryville, Tennessee

October 17, 20213:00 p.m.

Welcome The Reverend Jonathan Jonas First United Methodist Church

Prelude

*Processional Hymn Praise to the Lord, the Almighty No. 139

*Greeting and Opening Prayer Richard C. Looney, Bishop, The United Methodist Church

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

Eternal God, by your grace you have set us together in your Church, whose foundation is your Son Jesus Christ. Grant your continuing grace, we pray, to all who exercise leadership in your Church, that they may with diligence and faithfulness fulfill their various ministries; and grant that we your people may follow them where you lead and minister faithfully in the world; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Scripture Lesson Ezekiel 34:11-16 The Reverend Mike Sluder Director of Connectional Ministries

Anthem Spirit of Mercy, Truth, and Love H. Helvey First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir

Scripture Lesson Titus 1:7-9 Miss Meri Grant President, CCYM

*Hymn Jesus, United by Thy Grace No. 561

*Gospel Lesson John 21:15-17 The Reverend Susan Arnold Co-chair, Division of Local Pastors and Associate Members

Introduction of the Bishop Mr. Del Holley Chair, Committee on EpiscopacyLeader to Bishop:

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, You have been consecrated to be a shepherd and servant, and you have been assigned as Bishop of the Holston Area of The United Methodist Church.

Leader to the Members of the Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy:

Who will present Bishop Wallace-Padgett for welcome to this area?

The Reverend Kim Goddard 2016-2020 Member of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy

We, the Holston Area representatives of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy do certify that Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett was duly elected a Bishop of The United Methodist Church at the 2012 Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, and has been assigned by the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee on the Episcopacy to the Holston Area.We, therefore, present to this congregation Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett to be welcomed to the Holston Area to which she has been assigned.

The Covenant Service The Reverend Kim Goddard Miss Emily Ballard 2020-2024 Members of the Southeastern Jurisdictional Committee on EpiscopacyLeader:

The Church is the community of those called by God, justified by grace, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.We who are baptized into Christ’s death and raised with Christ in the resurrection are living members of the body of Christ who return thanksgiving to God in ministries of worship, nurture, witness, and service.A Bishop has been ordained to the ministry of Word and Sacrament; and to represent Christ’s servanthood in a special ministry of oversight.

A Bishop is called to guard the faith, to seek the unity, and to exercise the discipline of the whole Church; and to supervise and support the Church’s life, work, and mission throughout the world.As a servant of the whole Church, the Bishop is called to preach and teach the truth of the gospel to all God’s people; to lead the people in worship, in the celebration of the Sacraments, and in their mission of witness and service in the world, and so participate in the gospel command to make disciples of all nations.The Bishop is to lead and guide all persons entrusted to her supervision; join in the consecration of Bishops, ordain deacons and elders, consecrate diaconal ministers, and commission other ministers for service to the Church and to the world; and provide for the ministry of Word and Sacrament in the congregations committed to her care.Let the shepherd who has been called now affirm these ministries in our midst.

Bishop:With God’s help, I promise faithfully to hear and to proclaim God’s Word, and rightly administer the Sacraments, as your pastor and servant.

People:With God’s help, we promise to join with you in the life of praise and thanksgiving, and in the faithful use of the means of grace that God has given us.

Bishop:By the grace of Christ, I promise to be among you as a teacher of the faith, a pastor of souls, and a means to the unity of the body of Christ.

People:By the grace of Christ, we promise to join with you in the life of learning, in the nurturing of God’s people, and in the seeking of that oneness in Christ which is Christ’s gift to us.

Bishop:In the power of the Holy Spirit, I promise to be for you a means of reconciliation and healing, that all those who are burdened or oppressed may be made whole and able to rejoice in the new life in Jesus Christ.

People:In the power of the Holy Spirit, we promise to be, with you, faithful witnesses, serving justice, showing mercy, and in all things proclaiming the acceptable year of the Lord.

Leader:Let the people say, “Amen.”

People:Amen and amen!

Anthem Rejoice, the Lord is King arr. H. Pfohl First United Methodist Church Chancel Choir

Presentation of Signs of Episcopal Ministry

Representatives of the people of God present signs of the Episcopal Office to the Bishop. As each is received, the Bishop responds, Amen,

and places it on the altar.

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this pastoral staff, Mrs. Becky Hall and be upheld and sustained Conference Lay Leader by Christ the Good Shepherd as you exercise the ministry of a shepherd among us in Christ’s name. Amen.

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this Bible, Mrs. Donna Mosby and proclaim fearlessly the prophetic Word Conference UMW Presidentin the cause of justice and peace for all people. Amen.

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this water, Mr. Bobby Stair be renewed in your baptism Conference Director of and renew us in ours. Amen. Lay Servant Ministries

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this bread and cup, Mrs. Carolyn Kiddand keep us in communion Chair, Conference Council on with Christ and his Church. Amen. Finance and Administration

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this towel and basin, The Reverend Rebekah Fetzerand be among us as one who serves. Amen. Chair, Division of Deacons, Diaconal Concerns and Professional Certification

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this stole, The Reverend Sharon Bowers and be our pastor, preacher, and teacher; Chair, Order of Eldersencourage and support all baptized people in their gifts and ministries, and pray for them without ceasing. Amen.

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this The Reverend Jeff Wright Book of Discipline, Dean of the Cabinet guard the faith, seek the unity, exercise the discipline of the whole Church, and supervise the Church’s life, work,and mission throughout the world. Amen.

Bishop Wallace-Padgett, take this gavel, Mr. John Eldridge and preside in our Annual Conference; Conference Chancellor appoint pastors and assign diaconal ministers to their ministries, and guide us in our common mission of love and justice,witness and service. Amen.

Leader:Bishop Wallace-Padgett, these are the signs of your ministry among the people of the Holston Area of The United Methodist Church. Faithfully administer discipline, but do not forget mercy, that when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the never fading crown of glory.

Bishop:In the name of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, I gladly assume, with you and among you, this ministry of Word, Sacrament, and Order, of pastoral supervision, government, and service. Strengthened by the love of God and the remembrance of my consecration to the episcopacy, I am resolved to serve faithfully and well the congregations and people of the Holston Area as Bishop, pastor, and friend.

People:On behalf of the congregations and people, we receive you, Bishop Wallace-Padgett, with joy and thanksgiving, as our Bishop and pastor. We pledge to you our prayers, our loyalty, and our support as you lead us in the ministry of reconciliation entrusted to us all.

Prayer of Acclamation Mary Virginia Taylor, BishopThe United Methodist Church

Most gracious and loving God, we give you thanks and praise for your daughter and servant, Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett. Fill her heart with such love of you that these signs of her ministry among us become the very evidence of your love for us all. May her staff be the evidence of your protective Love in our midst. May her Bible be your Word of Love to us. May her baptismal water be your renewing Love for us. May her bread and cup be the Love of constant communion with you. May her towel and basin lead us all to Love others as you have loved us. May her stole serve as a yoke of Love connecting us to her as she leads us closer to you. And may her prayers be one of the avenues through which your Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf when we do not know what to pray.Grant now that as Bishop Wallace-Padgett brings us a message from you that her words would be your Word, that her thoughts would be your Thought, that her actions would be your Action, and that her love would be your Love.In the Holy and Precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Message Bishop Debra Wallace-PadgettSent By God

Acts 16:6-15 nrsv

*Hymn Christ for the World We Sing No. 568

*Unison Prayer The Reverend Jason Gattis, Smoky Mountain District Superintendent

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of the faithful, look with favor on your servant Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett, whom your Church has appointed Bishop and chief pastor of the Holston Area. Grant that, by word and example, she may assist those among whom she is placed, so that she and the people entrusted to her care may fulfill the promises that they have made this day; grow together in unity, love, and service; and at last attain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

*Dismissal with Blessing Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett

*Recessional Hymn Lift High the Cross No. 159

Postlude Please remain seated until the recessional exits the sanctuary.

*Please stand as you are able.

Worship Participants:

Debra Wallace-Padgett, Resident Bishop, Holston Area, The United Methodist Church

Richard C. Looney, Bishop, The United Methodist Church

Mary Virginia Taylor, Bishop, The United Methodist Church

~ Dr. Dwight Dockery, Director of Music, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, Smoky Mountain District

Organist ~ Mr. Joshua Sumter, First United Methodist Church, Oak Ridge, Tennessee Valley District

Pianist ~ Dr. Jennifer Anderson, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, Smoky Mountain District

Chancel Choir ~ First United Methodist Church, Maryville, Smoky Mountain District

Words and music to songs other than those from The United Methodist Hymnal are used by permission. CCLI # 11074740